That bulldog

At Hertford Borough Sessions, Herbert Searle, a bandsman in the Hertfordshire Regiment, billeted in Chambers Street, was summoned for keeping a dog without a licence.  The dog in question was the bulldog which was given to the Hertfordshire Regiment as a mascot and ferociously attacked a pony in the street a fortnight ago.  P.c. Compton said that the defendant told him the dog was given to the band by Mr Sears of St Albans, when they were on the recruiting march through the county, and he supposed that he was responsible for it.

Supt Pear said he had communicated with the commanding officer of the Regiment and he told him that the dog belonged to the band and that they were responsible for it.  The defendant said that when the man gave it he said they were to return it if they did not like it.  He did not consider he was the owner of the dog, and he returned it last week.  The Mayor said that the Magistrates considered that the defendant had committed an offence, but under the circumstances they would not inflict any penalty.  He must, however, be careful in the future.